Binge Eating vs. Overeating: What’s The Difference?
We have all had the experience of overeating, or eating past the point of fullness. Perhaps you went for a second serving of a delicious meal even when you were already full, or ate more than you normally would at Christmas or Thanksgiving which left you feeling uncomfortably full. This is really normal and I truly don’t know anyone who hasn’t experienced this. But a common misconception people have about binge eating disorder is that binge eating is the same as overeating.
Binge eating and overeating are certainly not the same thing, and in today’s blog I would like to explore their differences to help further understand what binge eating disorder is and how it differs from simply overeating.
What is overeating?
Overeating is eating more than your body needs, or eating past the point of fullness. It is situational and not compulsive. While overeating does involve eating more than what feels good physically, it is not in and of itself an eating disorder behavior in the same way that binge eating and binge eating disorder is.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating is defined as consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time. Binge eating disorder is when you compulsively binge eat, experience a loss of control over your eating and consume much larger amounts that you normally would if not binge eating. There are not consistent compensatory behaviors in the same way there is for bulimia, such as inducing vomiting, overexercising or using laxatives. This does not mean that someone with binge eating disorder will never attempt to compensate for that food consumed, but rather that it is not ritualistically and consistently part of the behavior. It is a diagnosable eating disorder, and as such, has specific diagnostic criteria.
To be diagnosed with binge eating disorder all of the following must be present (according to the DSM-5):
Noticeable distress over binge eating episodes
Loss of control over amount of food eaten or feeling as though you cannot stop once you start binge eating (I often describe this as going into “tunnel vision” when binge eating)
Binge eating episodes that have been occurring at least one time a week for 3 months or more
In addition, to be diagnosed with binge eating disorder, 3 (or more) of the following criteria must also be present:
Eating until uncomfortably full (Learn more about hunger and fullness here!)
Eating more rapidly than “normal” (normal meaning the individuals normal pace of eating outside of a binge)
Within a set period of time (for example, 2 hours), eating a larger quantity of food than what most people would eat in a similar time frame and under similar circumstances
Feelings of guilt, sadness and disgust with self after binge eating (immense upset and distress over what has happened)
Eating in isolation due to embarrassment around how much is being eaten
Eating large quantities of food when not physically hungry
Binge eating disorder is much more common than anorexia or bulimia, impacting at least double the cases of both anorexia and bulimia combined, if not more.
In spite of how common binge eating disorder is, it can often go undetected from family and friends, or not get taken as seriously when it comes to support needed as one would with either anorexia or bulimia. However, binge eating disorder greatly impacts the individual suffering, negatively affects their mental and physical health in a very significant way, and negatively affects their quality of life. Those with binge eating disorder are just as deserving of and in need of support and treatment as any other eating disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder:
Eating in isolation/ avoiding eating in public
Hiding food in room or car
Finding wrappers, packaging or empty boxes, but never seeing them eating these foods
Yo-yo dieting
Coming on and off fitness plans/ new exercise routines
Skipping meals
Poor body image/ extreme distress around body, weight, shape
Frequent body checking, weighing, measuring
Frequent weight fluctuations
Withdrawal from friends, family, social situations, hobbies, etc.
Low self esteem
Digestive issues (bloating, cramps, constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
(Read more about digestion and binge eating here).
Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety and/ or depression
Commonly Co-occurring Conditions:
Anxiety / Social anxiety
PTSD
Substance abuse
Bipolar disorder
Suicidality
Self harm
Depression
ADHD (read more about ADHD and eating disorders here)
IBS (read more about IBS and eating disorders here)
If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, I would love to offer you a free consultation where we can connect, learn more about what you are experiencing and I can help guide you towards the best support for your recovery. I created the Binge Eating Recovery Program after a decade of clinical work and seeing what actually helps people overcome binge eating, as well as being informed by my own personal journey to binge eating recovery.